Lifting jack mechanism for vehicles



y 1932- w. w. WOLFF ET AL 1,858,785

LIFTING JACK MECHANISM FOR VEHICLES Filed March 9, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ATTORNEYS July 26, 1932. w. w. WOLFF ET AL LIFTING JACK MECHANISM FOR VEHICLES Filed March 9, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J I L engages a wheel when the rop is in lifting" Patented 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAI W. WOLET AND WLWOLFII, OI LOB 61m CALIFORNIA, AB- BIGNOBB OI ONE-THIRD TO THOIAS I. WATSON, OI LOB CALIFORNIA mG IACk TOR VEHICLES Ippllcatlon fled larch O, 1031. lerlal Io. 881,148.

This invention relates to lifting means for an automotive vehicle whereby the vehicle may be elevated off the ound by using the tractive power of the ve icle. It a rtains to a prop which is carried by the ve role and may be selectively released to ground engaging position and the vehicledriven under power so that the rop acts as a lever fulcruming about its oot. In vehicles havin driving wheels ca able of operating at di ferential speed, which is the common practice, liftin one of the traction wheels from the ground destroys the tractive effort of the other unless the lifted wheel is held against rotation. The resent invention contemplates a prop associated with a wheel so that when it is actuated to lift a wheel clear of the ground the lifted wheel'is held against rotation enabling the other to exert its tractive effort.

The objects of this invention are to provide lifting jack mechanism of the character above mentioned and having any or all of.

the followin features: means on the wheel associated, with a prop whereby the latter position and arrests rotation of the wheel in one direction; means as described which by rotation of the wheel in the opposite direction will restore the prop to nonlifting or carrying position; a 'protractable and retractable lug on said prep for enga ment b said means whereby the lug may positioned to clear. the means or positioned to engage the-means; automatic catch means for engaging and holding the prop in carrying posit-ion and manually operable to release the prop; and details of structure contributing to positiveness of operation, ease of control, sturdiness of structure and compactness in installation.

These objects are obtained by the embodiment of our invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the rear or driving end of an automobile chassis with the lifting mechanism mounted thereon; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a lifting prop with the catch holding the prop in carrying position; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 1, a fragment of the wheel being shown in cross section; Fi 5 is a side view of the structure shown in 3 with the prop in lifting sition; and ig. 6 is a rear elevation of a ragment of an automobile with a wheel and its prop 'The axle is of a common differential type so that wheels 12 may have a'difl'erential speed. This type of construction is such that when one wheel loses its traction, it will s in, and there will be no tractive effort on t e other wheel. The axle is supported by the usual rings 13. The construction semi-elliptic just described is part of a standard type of automobile.

Secured to thespring seat is a bracket 14. The bracket has spaced depending ears between which is pivotally mounted a jack prop 15. It will be noted that the prop 15 is disposed on a pivotal axis eccentric to the. axle. An elon ated slot 16 extends through the prop 8!? at the outer face of the prop at the slot there is an enlar ment 17. On the inner face of the prop intermediate the slot 16 and the pivotal axis are ears 18 A lever arm 19 is pivotally mounted between the ears and carries at its lower end a lug block 20. By swinging thearm 19, the lug block may be projected outwardly from the outer side of the prop or retracted inwardly. Limlting screws 21 restrain the lu block to a reciprocatory movement at a se ected level withrespect to the foot of the prop and the level may be adjusted by means of the screws. The lug block is for coaction with a lug 22 on the wheel 12. With the lugl block projected, the lug 22 on wheel'12 wi abut the lug block when the rep is in elevating position as shown in igs. 5 and 6. This will cause the wheel 12 to be restrained against rotation. By suitably positioning the pivotal axis of the prop with respect to the axis of the wheel, the pro ected lug block will clear the lug 22 when in carrying position as shown in Fig. 4;. However, to insure clearance, the lug block 20 has been made retractable.

In order to hold the prop in car in position and to release it when so desire a ceper pin 23 is provided on the outer face of the rep. A. catch mounting plate 24 is secured in position with relation to the axle housing 11 by mounting it upon the spring seat. Plate 24 extends rearwardly so as to overhang the prop. Pivotally mounted upon the late is a catch 25. This catch is of book orm and constitutes a retaining catch which is manually operable.

An operating rod 26 is secured to catch and at its forward end is secured to a hand lever mechanism indicated generally by 27. This hand lever mechanism is disposed in the car at a point convenient for operation by the driver of the vehicle and may be arran ed so that a demountable handle may be use to operate linkage for the wheel on the opposite side. Asthis mechanism is not rtinent to the present invention, it is not escribed in detail. Mounted upon the bracket 14 is a pivot support 27 and pivotally mounted thereon isan arm 28 having a clevis. A swivel link 29 secures lever 19 to arm 28 whereby the prop 15 may be swung. A link rod 30 is secured to arm 28 intermediate its ends and to the catch 25. Thus, operation of the catch 25 by the rod 26 to retract it and release pin 23 will position the lug block 20 in projected position. When the parts are in position to engage the pin 23 as shown in Fig. 3, the lug block 20 will be in retracted position. The lug block 20 and lug 22 are so positioned that when the prop is raised, the lug and lug block will not clear until the prop is in carrying position, as shown in ig. '3. This enables the prop to be raised b rotation of the wheel 12, the lug and lug b ock being in engagement until the prop has reached carrying position.

In order to automatically catch and initially hold the prop in carrying position, an

, initial catch 31 is provided. This catch is of hook form and piyoted on the supporting plate 24 in the rear of catch 25. It has a hook end to engage pin 23 and a bevel lower lip 32. A tension spring 33 holds the catch 31 against a stop pin 34 on the supporting late. A pin 35 on catch 25 is disposed so 1; at upon swinging of the catch it may be engaged with a dog 36 pivotally mounted on initial catch 31 and will swing it to releasing position. The dog may be lifted and on withdrawal of latch 25, pin 35 may pass the dog without disturbing catch 31.

weaves In carrying position of the prop,it is in the position shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. To

elevate the car and raise a wheel from the car, the hand lever mechanism 27 associated with rod 26 of the wheel is actuated to move rod 26 toward the rear. This causes the retaining catch 25 to be swungso as to release its hold upon pin 23 and in its final swinging osition, 1t actuates initial catch 31 to release it. The prop is then free to drop and engage its foot with the ground. A shoulder projection 37 on the prop acts as a stop coacting with the axle housing. The car is then backed u Traction for backin is maintained a r the wheel associate with the jack has been raised by reason of lug 22 engaging the lug block 20. The operation of the catch to release the prop will have caused the ln block 20 to be projected. To raise the ac the car is driven forward, the lug 22 engaging the other side of the lug block and swinging the jack upwardly, pin 23 engaging the bevel lip 32 of the initial catch and riding over the latter into locking position. Final retention of the prop isobtained by operating the hand lever mechanism 27 and causing catch 25 to engage pin 23. The prop is forced upwardly by the catch and held against a rubber bumper 38. This prevents rattling of the prop when in carrying position.

A plurality of props are provided, one for the front axle and one of each rear wheel. These can be arran ed to be operated selectively by the hand ever mechanism 27 What we claim is 1. In an automotive vehicle including a frame, an axle, and drive wheels capable of differential speed: a lifting jack mechanism comprising a jack prop pivotally supported in relation to said frame on an axis located ad'acent a wheel and eccentric to the wheel axis whereby to enable swinging of the prop from carrying position to frame elevating position, and means on said wheel to engage said prop in frame elevating osition and arrest rotation thereof in one irection and to swing said prop to carrying position on retation of said wheel in the other direction.

2. In an automotive vehicle including a frame, an axle, and drive wheels capable of differential speed: a lifting jack mechanism comprising a jack prop pivotally supported in relation to said frame on an axis located adjacent a wheel and eccentric to the wheel axis whereby to enable swinging of the prop from carrylng position to frame elevatin position, means on said wheel to engage sai prop in frame elevating position and arrest rotation thereof in one direction and to swing said prop to carrying position on rotation of said wheel in the other direction, and releasable catch means on said frame to hold said prop in carrying position.

3. In an automotive vehicle including a frame, an axle, and drive wheels capable of 'difl'erential speed: a lifting jackmechanism whereby to enable swinging of the prop carrying position to frame elevating position, means onsaid wheel to engage said prop in frame elevatfng position and arrest rotation thereof in one direction and to swing said prop to carrying position on. rotation of said wheel in the other direction, catch means on said frame to automatically engage said prop and hold the latter in carrying position, and manually operable means to actuate said catch means and release said prop.

4. In an automotive vehicle including a frame, an axle, and drive wheels capable of differential speed: a lifting jackmechanism comprising a jack prop pivotally supported in relation to said frame onan axis located adj acent a wheel whereby to enable swinging of the prop to and from frame elevating position, a projectable and retractable lug on said prop, a lug on said wheel to enga e the lug on said prop in frame elevating poslton and ar rest rotation thereof in one direction, and manually controlled means to retract the lug on said prop and cause it to clear the lug on said wheel.

5. In an automotive vehicle including a frame, an axle, and drivewheels capable of d fferential speed: a lifting jack mechanism comprising a jack prop pivotally supported in relation to said frame on an axis located adjacent a wheel and eccentric to the wheel axis whereby to enable swinging of the prop from carr ing position to elevating posit'on, a projecta 1e and retractable lug on said prop, a lug on said wheel to engage the lug on said prop in frame elevating position and arrest rotation thereof in one direct on, and manually controlled means to retract the lug on said prop and cause it to clear the lug on said wheel.

6. In an automotive vehicle including a frame, an axle, and drive wheels capable of differential speed; a lifting jack mechansm comprising a jack prop pivotally supported in relation to said frame on an axis located adjacent a wheel whereb to enable swinging of the prop to and from rame elevatin t'on, means on said wheel to engage sai prop in frame elevating position and arrest rotation of said wheel in one direction, manually operable retaining catch means to selectively engage and hold said prop in carrying position or to release said prop, and automatic catchmeans to initially engage and hold said prop in carrying position, said automatic catch means being operable by said retaining catch in its final release position to release said prop.

7. Inan automotive vehicle including a frame, an axle, and drive wheels capable of in relation vsaid wheel in the ot er direction, I operable retaining catch means on said frame differential speed: a lifting jack mechanism comprising a jack prop pivotally supported tosaid frame on an axis located adjacent a wheel and eccentric to the wheel axis whereby to enable swinging of the prop from carrying position to frame elevatin position, means on said wheel to engage said prop in frame elevating position and arrest rotation thereof in one direction and to swing said prop to carryin position on rotation of said wheel in the ot er direction; manually operable retaining catch means to selectively engage and hold said rop in car in os1-,

dP y P tion or to release sai prop, and automatic catch means to initially engage and hold said prop. in carrying position, said automatic catc means being operable by said retaining catch in its final release position to release said rop.

8. ii an automotive vehicle including a frame, an axle, and drive wheels capable of difi'erential'speed: alifting jack mechanism comprising a jack prop pivotally supported in relation to said frame on an axis located adjacent a wheel and eccentric to the wheel axis whereby to enable swinging of the prop from carrying position to, frame elevatin position, means on said wheel to engage sai prop in frame elevatin position and arrest rotation thereof in one irection and to swin said prop to carryin position on rotation o manually to selectively hold said prop either in carry ing catc means to initially engage and hold said prop in carrying position, means on said retaining catch to engage said initial catch at the end of the release movement of said retaining catch and actuate said initial catch to release said prop.

9. In an automotive vehicle including a frame, an axle, and drive wheels capable of differential speed: a lifting jack mechanism comprising a jack prop pivotally supported in relation to said frame on an axis located adjacent a wheel whereby to enable swinging of the prop to and from frame elevating position, a projectable and retractable lug on said prop, a lug on said wheel to engage the lug on said prop in frame elevating position and arrest rotation thereof in one direction, manually controlled means to retract the lug on said prop and cause it to clear the lug on said wheel, manually operable retainin catch means to selectively engage and hol said prop in carrying position or to release said prop, and automatic catch means to initially engage and hold said prop in carrying position, said automatic catch means bein operable by said retaining catch in its fina release position to release said prop.

10. In an automotive vehicle including a frame, an axle, and drive' wheels capable of differential speed: alifting jack mechanism osition or to release said prop, automatic III prop pivotally supported in relation to said frame on an axis located adjacent a wheel and eccentric to the wheel axis whereby to enable swinging of the prop from carrying position to elevating position, a projectable and retractable lug on said prop, a lug on said wheel to engage the In on said prop in frame elevating position an arrest rotation thereof in one direction, manually controlled means to retract the lug on said rop and cause it to clear the lug on said w eel, manually operable retaining catch means on said frame to selectively hold said prop either in carrying position or to release said prop, automatic catch means to initially engage and hold said prop in carrying position, means on said retainin catch to engage said initial catch at the en of the release movement of said retaining catch and actuate said initial catch to release said prop.

In Witness that We claim the foregoing we have hereunto subscribed our names this 3rd day of March, 1931.

LLIAM W. WGLFF. ROBERT W. WOLFE.

comprising a jack 

